Liam Conlin of Boothbay, 14, was one of three students from the Southern Midcoast Maine Region chosen to receive investment funds for their businesses.

Conlin, son of Robert and Eve Conlin, has started Down East Jerky, a retail business selling smoked, organic premium meat jerky in a variety of flavors.

In April, Conlin and others pitched their business ideas before a panel of five real-life investors to compete for funding at the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber's first-ever Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Investor Panel Presentation. The event took place at Southern New Hampshire University's Brunswick campus.

The $3,000 put up by the investors was divided and allocated to the businesses that the investors  felt had a well thought out plan, and an idea that had a good chance at success. Conlin, who is home schooled, was awarded $1,500 for Down East Jerky.

The other two businesses awarded investment money were Dirigo Fro-Yo, a retail business owned by Catherine “Cat” Johnson of Waynflete School selling healthy frozen yogurt treats, and Attack Adversity, owned by Michael “Bru” Abreu of Mt. Ararat High School. His business is a product-based company (primarily T-shirts) with a positive message of overcoming hardships.

Students will now begin marketing and selling their products and services and preparing for the YEA! Trade Show to showcase their goods to the general public. The trade show will be held Wednesday, May 29 from 5 to 7 p.m., in conjunction with the Chamber After Hours event, at the Bath Holiday Inn, 139 Richardson St., Bath.

For more information about YEA!, visit www.yeausa.org/.